"Ma...Master..."
The Young Monk's pupils instantly lost focus.
The surrounding Demon Suppression Guards all gasped, subconsciously retreating half a step.
That was the Chief of the Discipline院 of Baosha Temple!
A great power in the Core Formation Realm!
He just died like that?
Chen Tong's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
Before joining the Demon Suppression Division, he used to take money to kill people, so he naturally knew which forces absolutely couldn't be provoked.
Let alone the death of a Chief of the Discipline院 in the Core Formation Realm, even if an Inner Sect Disciple died, Baosha Temple would dare to make the entire Region Jianghu restless.
Killing two young Disciples earlier might have made them wary of the Demon Suppression Division's reputation, preventing them from doing anything out of line.
But now... a Core Formation expert had died!
If this matter were to spread... the entire Region Jianghu would probably be shaken three times over!
"You... you killed Master..."
The Young Monk's eyes were vacant, as he mumbled to himself.
Suddenly, he seemed to snap back to reality, struggling up from the ground and lunging at Lord Jiang like a madman!
"I'll fight you to the death!"
Chen Tong jumped in fright.
Damn!
He was distracted!
Seeing the Young Monk about to pounce on Lord Jiang, he quickly tried to step forward.
Bang!
A muffled thud.
The Young Monk was already sent flying backward, rolling several times on the ground.
Lord Jiang slowly retracted her foot, looking at him expressionlessly.
"What are you muttering about? Do you have any other old fogeys to back you up?"
"..."
Everyone quickly stepped forward, holding the Young Monk down with many hands.
This time, he didn't even have the strength to struggle, just staring with hollow eyes, saliva mixed with blood foam dripping from the corner of his mouth.
Lord Jiang didn't bother to look at him again.
"Alright, stop standing around like idiots. Take this old bald donkey's corpse and return to The Department."
Everyone's hearts tightened, and they bowed in unison.
"Understood!"
Lord Jiang said no more, turning and walking towards the Demon Suppression Division.
The night wind stirred the hem of her dark robes.
The golden lion on her shoulder seemed to come alive under the moonlight.
Its ferocious beast eyes coldly watched this area, which was about to unleash a monstrous wave.
Chen Tong and Liu Ke exchanged glances, both seeing bitterness in the other's eyes.
Since things had come to this, what else could they do?
Even if something big happened.
They only earned five taels of silver a month; why worry unnecessarily?
Chen Tong sighed resignedly, stepped forward, grabbed Forgetting Dust's corpse, and slung it over his shoulder.
The group quickly disappeared into the night... The entrance of the Demon Suppression Division was brightly lit.
The gentry who had been arrested earlier had already been escorted to prison.
When Lord Jiang and her group returned, they were all crying and wailing.
"My lord, my lord, we've been wronged!"
"We swear to heaven, we truly don't know the inside story of this matter. Please, my lord, judge clearly!!!"
The Demon Suppression Guards on duty, seeing the group return, quickly came forward to greet them.
"Lord Jiang, these people... how should they be dealt with?"
"Aside from the Qian Family, interrogate the rest as needed. If they truly have nothing to do with it, then release them."
"Yes!"
She then looked at Chen Tong and the other two, "Also lock up the living bald donkey. I will personally interrogate him tomorrow. As for the dead one..."
An older Demon Suppression Guards bravely and cautiously interjected: "Lord Jiang, according to The Department's rules, this... this corpse is usually first sent to the morgue for temporary storage..."
Lord Jiang nodded.
"Then throw it there."
Liu Ke frowned, a trace of hesitation flashing across his face, but he still spoke: "My lord, that... is after all the Chief of Baosha Temple..."
Before he finished speaking, No Abstinence interrupted him.
"Amitabha, Benefactor Liu, do not worry. Since this bald donkey is dead, he is just a corpse, no different from an ordinary dead person. Throwing him in the morgue is perfect; perhaps he can chat about Buddhist teachings with other corpses."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and skillfully rummaged through Forgetting Dust's corpse.
"What are you doing?" Liu Ke's frown deepened.
"Looking for travel money."
Monk No Abstinence spoke with righteous indignation.
"Monks are empty of the four elements; these worldly possessions are just burdens. I shall relieve him of this worldly attachment; it can be considered an act of Karma."
Liu Ke's face twitched, but he ultimately said nothing more.
Soon, he pulled a money pouch from the old monk's embrace, then scurried over, holding it respectfully with both hands, and presented it to Lord Jiang.
"My lord, please take a look."
Lord Jiang merely opened it, glanced inside, and then casually tossed it back.
"It's your reward."
"Uh..."
Before the three could say anything else, she waved her hand, interrupting them: "Alright, you've worked hard tonight. Go back and rest early. I'll treat you to a meal another day."
Liu Ke was slightly startled, then said seriously: "This is our duty; we wouldn't dare trouble my lord..."
"Of course you dare! Why wouldn't you!"
Monk No Abstinence pushed Liu Ke aside, "My lord, where shall we eat? That Fuyun Tower today looked quite good to this poor monk."
"..."
This bald donkey really wasn't polite at all.
"Got it."
She replied irritably, no longer bothering to speak with these lively characters, and turned to walk out.
It wasn't until her slender figure disappeared into the night.
Liu Ke finally couldn't help but whisper to No Abstinence: "You monk, how can you be so ill-mannered?"
Monk No Abstinence pouted, then opened the money pouch and carefully inspected it, muttering: "What do you know? This is called social etiquette. If you get in with Lord Jiang, perhaps the position of Manor Lord of your broken manor will be yours someday."
"..."
Chen Tong, listening nearby, grinned and slapped Liu Ke on the shoulder, "Alright, we're all brothers, why are you arguing? Let's go, let's go, let's go drink. Bald donkey, how much is in that money pouch?"
Monk No Abstinence had a strange expression, pouring out a dozen copper coins from the money pouch.
"Damn, this old geezer, how is he poorer than me?"
...The night breeze was cool.
Lord Jiang walked silently on the road, sniffing.
Since the matter was concluded.
Both emotionally and logically, she should inform Wei He.
However, from Baosha Temple's arrogance, to the gentry's fawning, and even the hesitation of the Demon Suppression Guards below, it was clear that the Longyou Demon Suppression Division's current situation was indeed as Xu Changfeng had described: not good.
Yet, despite this, Wei He still agreed to her actions tonight.
Regardless of his motives, it didn't matter to her.
Humans live a lifetime, plants live an autumn; it is all for profit, and for profit it departs.
Wei He had his thoughts, and she had her objectives.
Even for herself.
Was she so enthusiastic about slaying demons and devils truly for this official position?
It was still for Dao Cultivation.
But even so.
For those common people whose families were destroyed by demons, what did it matter why she drew her sword?
They only saw someone wield a sword, and demons fall.
They only saw the day break anew.
Shaking her head, she dispelled these useless thoughts.
Her steps quickened.